BRADENTON – The foursome of golfers representing the Cortez-based Florida Fishing Fleet won the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s 21st annual golf tournament.
The tournament was held Friday at the IMG Academy Golf Club in Bradenton.
The winning foursome consisted of Florida Fishing Fleet co-owner Lance Plowman and his teammates Will Osborne, Donny Johnson and Ryan Young. Playing a best-ball tournament format, the Florida Fishing Fleet foursome needed only 54 strokes to complete 18 holes.
Each of the winning golfers received a $100 gift certificate from the Ugly Grouper restaurant in Holmes Beach.
Representing AAA Payroll Services, Mike Southwick, Mark Ball, Randy Clark and Kevin Laugh finished second by shooting a 55. The second-place golfers each earned a $50 gift certificate from the Anna Maria Oyster Bar.
Southwick is a Chamber board member.
“It’s an awesome tournament. I wish we could have had the full field of players but under the circumstances I think we scratched out a nice tournament,” he said, noting the tournament was delayed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Proceeds from the annual tournament help fund scholarships given to local students.
“We get 15 to 20 applications from local high school kids. They’re all amazing. They all deserve a scholarship and there’s usually two or three that just rise above the masses,” Southwick said.
The scholarships can be used for college, technical school or any other educational pursuit.
“The money goes directly to them and they can spend it as they see fit,” Southwick said, noting the caliber of applicants continually gives him hope for the future.
Representing North River Errands, David Berube, Perry Schunz, Greg Crocker and Mike Fields finished third by shooting a combined score of 56. For this, each team member earned a $25 gift certificate from the Bonefish Grill.
Representing team Pizza Villa, Rick Boston won the long-distance putting contest on the practice putting green near the first hole. Boston’s long-distance putt came within 5 inches of the cup and for that, he and his teammates each won a $25 gift certificate to the Anna Maria Island Beach Café in Holmes Beach.
AMI Chamber Vice President Cathy Pizzo measured the putts that came close enough to the pin to be considered contenders. Many came close, but none of the golfers sank their long-distance putt on the single attempt they were given.
After teeing off at the second hole, Chamber member Pat Evans said, “It’s a great day and it’s a good charity.”
His foursome included Jim Connelly, Steve Sweney and Dan Hoversten; they shot a combined score of 77.
Tyler’s Gourmet Ice Cream was represented by Dan and Sandy Alderson, their son Rob and Rob’s wife Laura.
“I love the tournament. I love the Chamber and I love our area,” Dan Alderson said while making his way from the putting green to the first hole. The Aldersons shot a combined score of 66.
On the third hole, each of the 74 participating golfers had the chance to shoot a hole-in-one to win the free two-year lease of a 2020 Cadillac CT5 courtesy of Sunset Cadillac of Bradenton. Despite their best efforts, none of the tournament golfers were able to shoot a hole-in-one on the par 3 hole that measured 165 yards from the men’s tee and 150 yards from the women’s tee.
“It was an awesome event. Everybody had a great time. We had fun, the weather was great and it was a great atmosphere for a great cause,” Pizzo said of this year’s tournament.
